"A child's learning is the function more of the characteristics of his classmates than those of the teacher." James Coleman, 1972

Tuesday, November 06, 2012

President of Society for Kindergarten Kalculus speaks out

Stop treating 3 year-olds like children
Sent to St. Louis-Post Dispatch, November 6, 2012

Pre-kindergarten testing (screening) is a step in the right direction: We must “get children prepared to learn” as early as possible and get them ready not just for kindergarten but also for pre-school (“Pre-kindergarten screening step toward child's success,” Nov. 6).
The coordinator of the Parents as Teachers program points out that 3-year-olds should know five colors and be able to count to 10.
Let’s insist that this happens and also toughen up pre-school and make sure it includes phonemic awareness and math.
There is no hope for the US is to compete internationally if we continue to treat 3 year-olds like children.